Recall 17V317 covers 152 2013-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses with improper seat-belt anchorage. Free repair at franchised Thomas Built Buses dealers.
Thomas Built Buses is recalling 152 2013-2018 Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses under recall 17V317 because the recall addresses occupant lap belts anchored to the seat instead of the bus structure. In a crash, that belt routing can fail to properly restrain the seated occupant and increase injury risk; Thomas Built Buses dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The lap belt in a 2013-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school bus is supposed to hold a seated passenger against the seat during a sudden stop or crash. For that job, the belt anchor needs to tie into the bus structure, the stronger frame or body structure designed to carry restraint loads. The seat provides the sitting position; the bus structure provides the anchor point.
On affected buses, some occupant seat lap belts were attached to the seat instead of the bus structure. That changes how crash forces travel through the restraint system. Instead of the belt load going directly into the stronger structure, the load is routed through the seat assembly, which was not the intended anchor path for these belts.
There is no warning sign before failure. The belt can look normal in daily use, so the issue is about how it is anchored, not how the buckle feels when latched.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2013-2018 model years for Saf-T-Liner Hdx buses, all involving the seat belt component.
| 2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2014 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat belt |
| 2017 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat belt |
| 2013 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat belt |
| 2015 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat belt |
| 2016 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx | seat belt |
| Units affected | 152 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
A lap belt anchored to the seat instead of the bus structure can leave the occupant improperly restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Use the VIN result to confirm whether the bus is included, then schedule the inspection and anchorage modification. Repair is free at any franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the free seat inspection and anchorage modification.
- Bring the recall notice if Thomas Built Buses mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V317 and Thomas Built Buses recall FL-736 when you call.
- Keep any seat with an unrepaired lap-belt anchorage out of passenger use until the dealer finishes the inspection and any required modification.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thomas Built Buses technician inspects the occupant seats to confirm how the lap belt anchorage is attached. If the lap belts are anchored to the seat instead of the bus structure, the dealer modifies the anchorage so the belt is secured the way the recall remedy requires. The inspection, any anchorage modification, and related labor are free under recall 17V317. Ask the service desk to confirm the repair is complete before the bus returns to service.
Timeline
| May 11, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 9, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| July 9, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 14, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V317?
Recall 17V317 covers 152 2013-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx school buses with seat lap belts anchored to the seat instead of the bus structure. In a crash, that anchorage can fail to properly restrain the occupant, increasing injury risk. Dealers will inspect and modify the anchorage for free if needed.
What should I do if my 2013-2018 Thomas Built Buses Saf-T-Liner Hdx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific school bus is included in recall 17V317. If it is, contact a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer to schedule the seat inspection and anchorage modification. Reference recall number 17V317 or Thomas Built Buses recall FL-736 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers will inspect the seats and modify the lap-belt anchorage if necessary free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Thomas Built Buses dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 17V317?
The risk is occupant injury during a crash. The recalled buses have seat lap belts that can be anchored to the seat instead of the bus structure, which can keep the belt from properly restraining the seated passenger in a crash.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V317000 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Built Buses customer service | 1-800-547-0712 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V317 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V317000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →